PHOTO: Colossal Reminder
In January, Tokyo University of the Arts graduates constructed a large-scale model of a Tyrannosaurus rex from 20,000 plastic bottles. Read more
Focus on Japan
The latest news, trends and photo galleries from Japan by Japan News and Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper founded in 1874.
‘Knock Knock Cats’ campaign aims to spare felines under vehicle hoods
Japan’s automobile industry has been calling on drivers to develop a strange habit before starting their cars: Knock on the car hood. It’s central to an initiative to shoo away cats that have climbed into the engine compartment, preventing injury to the animal as well as car trouble. Read more
Shop is a sweet spot for reclusive people
A new sweet shop operated by Tokyo’s Edogawa ward offers work opportunities and a place to spend time to area residents who stay in their homes and have withdrawn from society. Read more
AI technology can indicate freshness of frozen tuna
Fujitsu Ltd. and Tokai University have successfully used artificial intelligence to determine the freshness of frozen tuna. Read more
Okinawa’s bashofu textile endures into modern era
Bashofu, a light, cool fabric well suited for a summer kimono, is a traditional textile of Okinawa prefecture. The production of this unique fabric relies heavily on manual labor. Read more
New esports school gets dropouts back in class
Wataru Yoshida had had enough. He wasn’t going back to school. Read more
Hopefuls compete for best bald head
In late January in Yokote, Akita prefecture, eight men ranging in age from 40 to 90 gathered for an annual contest. The prize? The title of top bald head in Yokote. Read more
Tokyo odds-on favorite to see earliest cherry blossoms
Weather companies have released their forecasts for the “cherry blossom front” — the advance of cherry blossoms across the country — which is expected to begin within days. Read more
PHOTO: Chilling Thrills
A climber used an ice ax to ascend a frozen waterfall last month in the Sounkyo gorge in Kamikawa, Hokkaido, Japan. Read more
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Stucco made from oyster shells praised for benefits to health
A manufacturer in Hiroshima prefecture has developed a stucco made from oyster shells, which typically go unused. Read more
Startup unveils balloons for viewing Earth
Japanese space startup Iwaya Giken announced Feb. 21 it will launch manned viewing balloons into the stratosphere as early as fiscal 2023. Read more
Tire makers boost use of eco-friendly biomass for rubber
Leading tire makers are accelerating the development of tires made with biomass. Read more
PHOTO: Festival Prep
Hina dolls placed in bamboo stands sat in rows at the Matsui Kogeisha workshop in Kamigori, Hyogo prefecture, in late February. Read more
New technology can instantly analyze millions of moving cars
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. plans to commercialize a new technology that can instantly analyze data from tens of millions of vehicles, perhaps as early as the end of fiscal 2023. Read more
White takes spotlight at Tokyo specialty shop
White T-shirts hang neatly across the walls, their sheer whiteness even more bright under the illumination of a spotlight. Read more
Sea urchin aquaculture project to be land-based
In landlocked Saitama prefecture, a project will soon be underway to cultivate a delicacy of the ocean: sea urchin. Read more
Underwater volcano pumice transformed into artificial reefs
Efforts to utilize pumice generated by an underwater volcano near the Ogasawara Islands in March have begun in Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures, where huge amounts of the volcanic rock washed ashore at fishing ports and beaches, causing tremendous damage. Read more
Swimmers in armor show ancient fighting technique
A hardy group of swimmers recently demonstrated an ancient battle-focused swimming technique in the Hiji River in Ozu. Read more
PHOTO: Honest Exchange
Staff at the Kameido Tenjin shrine in Tokyo crafted 30,000 cypress figurines of the Eurasian bullfinch for its annual rite last month. Read more
More hotels focus on special interests
Hotels that cater to guests’ preferences and interests, such as pets, cycling, movies or books, have been popping up one after another in Japan, as businesses work hard to set themselves apart from their competitors and improve a diminished occupancy rate amid the pandemic. Read more
Consumers benefit from repurposed items lost on trains, buses
Clever are the entrepreneurs who have figured out how to tap into the bottomless well of unclaimed lost items found on trains and buses in Japan. Read more
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